What you will need
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rinsed quinoa
- 1 cup water
- 1 ripe pear, sliced
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
Make it yours
Method
- 01
Bring the quinoa and water to a gentle boil in a small saucepan.
- 02
Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until the water is absorbed, about fifteen minutes.
- 03
Fold in almond milk and cinnamon, then spoon into bowls.
- 04
Finish with pear slices, chia seeds, and pumpkin seeds.
Kitchen note
Cooked quinoa keeps well for three days, making this an easy weekday assembly breakfast.
Why quinoa for breakfast
Quinoa cooks in about 15 minutes and has more protein than most grains, around 8 grams per cooked cup according to USDA FoodData Central. Rinsing it first washes off saponins, the natural coating that can taste bitter or soapy.
Chia seeds thicken the almond milk as the bowl sits, so it turns creamy without dairy. Pear and cinnamon give sweetness and warmth, so you do not need added sugar.
Make it ahead
Cook a batch of quinoa and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. In the morning, warm a portion with a splash of almond milk on the stove or in the microwave, then add the fresh fruit and seeds.
In summer, try it cold: stir the cooked quinoa with almond milk and chia the night before and top with berries in the morning.
Why rinse quinoa
Quinoa seeds are coated with natural compounds called saponins, which can taste bitter or soapy. Most packaged quinoa is pre-rinsed, but a quick rinse in a fine sieve under cold water removes any remaining coating. Toasting the rinsed quinoa in the dry pan for a minute before adding water gives a nuttier flavor.
Nutrition notes
Quinoa is a seed eaten like a grain. It provides protein, fiber, iron and magnesium, and it contains all nine essential amino acids, which is unusual for a plant food. Chia and pumpkin seeds add more fiber, healthy fats and minerals. Together they make this bowl more filling than a typical sweet cereal. The figures in the nutrition panel are estimates based on standard food data and will vary with brands and portion sizes.
Quinoa is naturally gluten-free, which makes this bowl suitable for many people avoiding gluten. If you have celiac disease, check that your quinoa and seeds are labelled gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.
